Parish
Bicyclists and Motorists Need to Work Together
RECEIVED Thu., May 22, 2008
Dear Editor,
The cycling community should be assured that not all motorists share Mr. Bratcher's negative mentality regarding cyclists [“Postmarks,” May 23]. For car drivers to sit in the comfort of their air-conditioned vehicles, burning fossil fuels, and bitching at the entire cycling community is cowardice and pointless. Motorists need to recognize the hazards all cyclists endure on Austin's "shared" roadways. Recreational sport or commuter, spandex or skirts, motorists or cyclists, we should all extend courtesy and forgiveness (for mistakes on the road) toward one another. Public forums are a great means of expression and awareness. It should be utilized as a means of working together as a community to find reasonable solutions and share camaraderie. The bottom line is that the cycling community is a reflection of primordial Austin. It only behooves everyone to support the cycling community because in turn, it will only better Austin. The less cars, the better. The more greenery, the better. The less pollution, the better. It's a no-brainer. So who is the real "pea brain,” Mr. Bratcher? It's the one avenue in which we can truly keep Austin close-knit and local in the midst of the "New Urban" terrorism that has captured our city.
The cycling community should be assured that not all motorists share Mr. Bratcher's negative mentality regarding cyclists [“Postmarks,” May 23]. For car drivers to sit in the comfort of their air-conditioned vehicles, burning fossil fuels, and bitching at the entire cycling community is cowardice and pointless. Motorists need to recognize the hazards all cyclists endure on Austin's "shared" roadways. Recreational sport or commuter, spandex or skirts, motorists or cyclists, we should all extend courtesy and forgiveness (for mistakes on the road) toward one another. Public forums are a great means of expression and awareness. It should be utilized as a means of working together as a community to find reasonable solutions and share camaraderie. The bottom line is that the cycling community is a reflection of primordial Austin. It only behooves everyone to support the cycling community because in turn, it will only better Austin. The less cars, the better. The more greenery, the better. The less pollution, the better. It's a no-brainer. So who is the real "pea brain,” Mr. Bratcher? It's the one avenue in which we can truly keep Austin close-knit and local in the midst of the "New Urban" terrorism that has captured our city.
Colette Michalec
